Don't even think of believing rumors out of Hollywood that "Elizabethtown" director Cameron Crowe is unhappy with Orlando Bloom's performance in the romantic comedy, which was widely panned after film festival screenings.

When a Lowdown spy close to the production reported that a "disappointed" Crowe thought Bloom was "flat as a board" in the movie, which opens Oct. 14, Crowe himself called this column twice to do some energetic damage control.

"I had high hopes for him, and he met my high hopes," Crowe continued. "I think what he has in his eyes and his face is the complete story of the character, in every scene he's in. He is a deeply soulful guy, and the way he portrays a character thinking about suicide is completely riveting to me."

Crowe said that in cutting 18 minutes from the film festival version - which my colleague Jack Mathews saw and rated "a big disappointment" - he has beefed up Bloom's presence.

"What I've done, really, is focus more on his performance," he said. "The movie is Orlando's journey. I'm really proud of the movie, and I love the whole process that brought us to this cut."

The 48-year-old Crowe - who briefly cast, then fired, Ashton Kutcher from the role - stressed that Bloom was his first choice all along.

"It all worked out great. I stand by every bit of the process. I'm completely proud of the movie and I invite anyone to come see it any part of the day."